How many years of college do you need to be an animal trainer
Lily Fisher
Published May 10, 2026
There are no formal education requirements beyond high school for most animal trainers. However, trainers who work in zoos or aquariums usually have a bachelor’s degree. Their degrees often are in marine biology or animal management. These programs include courses in animal science and psychology.
How many years does it take to become an animal trainer?
Diploma and associate’s degree programs can typically be completed in less than 2 years. Some dog trainers also learn hands-on by working alongside experienced trainers. If you want to train marine mammals, you will need a four-year bachelor’s degree in marine biology, animal science or a related field.
Do animal trainers make good money?
On average, animal trainers earned approximately $30,430 per year as of May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. … Only the top 10 percent of animal trainers working reported annual earnings in excess of $50,000, and the very lowest-paid 10 percent of animal trainers earned just $20,810 per year.
Is it hard to be an animal trainer?
Becoming an animal trainer is not that difficult since you often don’t need a degree or any additional qualifications.How much does a animal trainer make?
The average salary for an animal trainer in the United States is around $30,430 per year.
Who is the most famous animal trainer?
Cesar Millan: Famous Dog Trainer, but Not All Experts Follow His Lead.
What kind of schooling do you need to be an animal trainer?
There are no formal education requirements beyond high school for most animal trainers. However, trainers who work in zoos or aquariums usually have a bachelor’s degree. Their degrees often are in marine biology or animal management. These programs include courses in animal science and psychology.
Do animal trainers have to travel?
Frequently travel. Trainers of guide dogs must travel to owners’ homes for the final month or so of training. Trainers of circus animals, race horses, and show animals also travel. May work long hours during the show season, from mid-spring to mid-autumn, if working as a show animal trainer.What skills do animal trainers need?
Successful animal trainers will be patient, knowledgeable, and able to meet the physical demands of the job, which may include lifting heavy items, working outside, or running. You should be a skilled teacher with excellent communication, problem-solving, listening, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
What are the cons of being an animal trainer?Animal Training Dangers Animal trainers may suffer bites or scratches. Horses or other farm animals can kick at a trainer. Injuries are part of the profession of animal training. Animal training can also be physically demanding, which may be difficult for anyone who is not in top physical condition.
Article first time published onWhat jobs with animals pay well?
- Animal caretaker. National average salary: $23,940 per year. …
- Animal trainer. …
- Veterinary assistant. …
- Zookeeper. …
- Breeder. …
- Veterinary technician. …
- Animal control officer. …
- Veterinary nurse.
What are the highest-paying Animal jobs?
- Small Animal Veterinarian.
- Veterinary Surgeon.
- Veterinary Pathologist.
- Zoo Veterinarian.
How much do animal trainers make at SeaWorld?
How much does a Animal Trainer at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment make? The typical SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Animal Trainer salary is $21 per hour. Animal Trainer salaries at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment can range from $16 – $54 per hour.
Can I make a living being a dog trainer?
Being a professional dog trainer can be an incredibly fulfilling profession. You can work for another company, but most quickly find out that to make a sustainable living, it’s best to run your own business.
How much money do animal trainers make in a week?
CityAnnual SalaryWeekly PaySanta Clara, CA$43,810$843San Francisco, CA$43,798$842Fremont, CA$42,070$809San Jose, CA$41,159$792
Where do most animal trainers work?
Animal trainers work for kennels, zoos, aquariums, animal shelters, and animal rescue organizations. About one-quarter of animal trainers are self-employed. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in this field will grow faster, in general, than the average for all occupations through 2024.
What do pet trainers do?
Animal trainers train animals for obedience, performance, riding, security, or assisting people with disabilities. They familiarize animals with human voices and contact, and they teach animals to respond to commands. Most animal trainers work with dogs and horses, but some work with marine mammals, such as dolphins.
What are the pros and cons of being an animal trainer?
Being an Animal Trainer ProsBeing an Animal Trainer ConsBeing an animal trainer is rather relaxedJob security is almost non-existentYou will not have that much time pressureDifficult to switch fieldsFree weekends and holidaysAnimals may hurt you
What do you call an animal expert?
A person who specializes in the study of animals is called a zoologist. Zoologists who study certain kinds of animals have their own names. Anthropologists study human beings.
Is Cesar Millan Mexican?
César Felipe Millán Favela (/ˈsiːzər mɪˈlɑːn/; Spanish: [ˈsesaɾ miˈʝan]; born August 27, 1969) is a Mexican-American dog trainer with over 25 years of canine experience.
What was the first animal used in animal testing?
Although the exact purpose of the procedure was unclear, a Neolithic surgeon performed trepanation on a cow in 3400-3000 BCE. This is the earliest known surgery to have been performed on an animal, and it is possible that the procedure was done on a dead cow in order for the surgeon to practice their skills.
What's another name for animal trainer?
•animal trainer (noun) handler.
How can I work with animals without being a vet?
- Groomer.
- Kennel attendant, pet sitter and dog walker.
- Veterinary assistant.
- Laboratory animal caretaker.
- Trainer.
- Veterinary technicians.
- Animal control worker.
- Conservation and forest technicians.
What jobs are in animal science?
- Conservation officer. Animals and their habitats are inextricably interlinked. …
- Academia. …
- Veterinary medicine. …
- The food industry. …
- Zoology. …
- Animal trainer for films and productions.
How do I get experience in animal training?
Having substantial experience working with animals is also a pre-requisite for being hired, therefore volunteering and working with animals while going to school is a good way to get experience. Education for animal training can vary depending on the type of animal you would like to work with.
What tools do animal trainers use?
- Clicker. A clicker can be used to mark desired behavior, both in response to a cue and when it occurs naturally. …
- Target stick. …
- Treats. …
- Portable mat. …
- Leashes. …
- Collar and harness. …
- Long line. …
- Barriers.
What are the different types of animal trainers?
- Some animal trainers use dog whistles.
- A wild animal trainer may work with lions.
- Wild animal trainers might work with dolphins.
- A person who teaches obedience skills to a dog is a trainer.
- An animal trainer may work with horses.
What does an animal behavior specialist do?
Animal behaviorists study the way animals behave and try to determine what causes certain types of behavior and what factors can prompt behavior change. They usually specialize in certain types of animals, whether it’s fish, birds, large animals, wild animals, livestock or household pets.
Why is it good to train animals?
Today, animal training, research, and behavior medicine are utilized to foster animal health and welfare, shape and maintain prosocial behaviors, manage breeding groups, contribute to a growing body of scientific literature, and educate the public.
What is the highest paying job?
- Cardiologist. National average salary: $351,827 per year.
- Anesthesiologist. National average salary: $326,296 per year.
- Orthodontist. National average salary: $264,850 per year.
- Psychiatrist. National average salary: $224,577 per year.
- Surgeon. …
- Periodontist. …
- Physician. …
- Dentist.
How much do you get paid to be a zookeeper?
The salaries of Zookeepers in the US range from $10,240 to $209,552 , with a median salary of $37,730 . The middle 57% of Zookeepers makes between $37,730 and $94,998, with the top 86% making $209,552.